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I love all the seasons, but there is something very special about the first balmy days after a long winter. It feels great to peel off the layers and breathe in the scent of the sun warming the soil, causing blossoms to open and petals to pattern the grass. As mud dries and green shoots cover brown patches, we too feel invigorated and ready for a fresh start. We know it’s been a hard winter for our community: lobster pots have been wrecked and washed up on beaches; holiday rentals and coastal restaurants have missed out on two months of business; seaside cafés, galleries and ice-cream parlours belonging to our readers are still waiting to be repaired. But our coastal communities are resilient, and we know there’s a fantastic summer on the way. The shores of the British Isles are a wonderful place to live and visit. Whether you want a wildlife adventure on the Farne Islands (pg 98), to fly a microlight over the Yorkshire coastline (pg 92) or to holiday in an architectural treasure (pg 81), we hope this issue will inspire you to take a trip to the coast.